The majority of the people employed in Africa are from rural areas. In 2020, the rural population in employment amounted to around *** million, against *** million living in urban areas. At a regional level, Southern Africa represented the only exception, with the prevalence of people from urban areas. In Eastern Africa, the region counting the highest number of individuals in employment, there were only ** working people from rural areas in every 100 workers living in urban agglomerations. A total of over *** million people were employed in Africa in 2024.
The source adds the following information:
"The employed comprise all persons of working age who, during a specified brief period, were in one of the following categories: a) paid employment (whether at work or with a job but not at work); or b) self-employment (whether at work or with an enterprise but not at work)."
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ILO. (November 30, 2021). Number of people employed in Africa in 2020, by region and area of residence (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 12, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1236399/number-of-people-employed-in-africa-by-region-and-area-of-residence/
ILO. "Number of people employed in Africa in 2020, by region and area of residence (in millions)." Chart. November 30, 2021. Statista. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1236399/number-of-people-employed-in-africa-by-region-and-area-of-residence/
ILO. (2021). Number of people employed in Africa in 2020, by region and area of residence (in millions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 12, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1236399/number-of-people-employed-in-africa-by-region-and-area-of-residence/
ILO. "Number of People Employed in Africa in 2020, by Region and Area of Residence (in Millions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Nov 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1236399/number-of-people-employed-in-africa-by-region-and-area-of-residence/
ILO, Number of people employed in Africa in 2020, by region and area of residence (in millions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1236399/number-of-people-employed-in-africa-by-region-and-area-of-residence/ (last visited July 12, 2025)
Number of people employed in Africa in 2020, by region and area of residence (in millions) [Graph], ILO, November 30, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1236399/number-of-people-employed-in-africa-by-region-and-area-of-residence/
